HIL

Hockey India League To Resume After Seven Years

The Hockey India League will return for the first time since 2017 on 28 December, 2024. The eighth season will see eight men’s teams and six women’s teams. There will be two venues at which matches will be played-Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh astroturf hockey stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, Odisha. The curtain raiser for the opening has been scheduled for 28 December at Rourkela.

Which teams are part of the HIL?

The following teams are set to feature in the upcoming season of HIL.

Men’s League:

The eight teams that will compete in the male league will be owned by Charles Group for Chennai, Yadu Sports for Lucknow, SG Sports and Entertainment for Delhi, Shrachi Group for Kolkata, Vedanta for Odisha, Resolute Sports for Hyderabad, Navoyam Sports Ventures for Ranchi and JSW Sports for Punjab

Women Teams:

Delhi, Kolkata, and Odisha- will be owned by SG Sports, Shrachi Group, and Novayan respectively. Haryana will have JSW Sports while the remaining two owners are yet to be announced.

How will players be picked for the teams?

The player auction will be held for selecting the players on 13th, 14th and 15th October in New Delhi in which the players can present themselves in three categories with a base price of Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh. Each franchise is entitled to prepare a 24-player roster which should have at least 16 Indian players, out of which 4 must be the junior player inclusion requirement besides 8 foreign stars. Although the details related to the names of the players playing in the league are yet to come, most of the keenly skilled males and female hockey professionals are set to feature in the event.

By when is the HIL expected to stage the final?

The HIL Final will be held on different dates, the women’s finals will take place on January 26, 2025 in Ranchi and the men’s final will be held on February 1, 2025 in Rourkela and it is especially welcome that the resurrection of HIL is really India’s premier domestic hockey competition. Previous editions have helped in pushing the Indian men’s hockey team to tremendous heights, including Olympic medals. Participation by women’s teams only must bolster the national women’s team, giving players more experience and confidence against better talent.

Prospects for Future HIL Editions?

The HIL is almost certain to be an annual event from hereon, as the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has decided to give it a window from late January to early February for the next ten years. Details of the broadcast are yet to be announced.

The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye

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